Example implementations associated with the aspects of the present invention include a low altitude aircraft identification system composed by three components: a small aircraft electronic identification box with an embedded logger, a ground identification equipment to automatically identify the aircraft just pointing at it, and an identification code database. The identification code can be transmitted by a visible light color sequence or by a radio frequency signal. The ground identification device is capable of recognizing both kinds of code.
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15. A device configured to communicate with low-altitude aircraft, the device being remote from the low-altitude aircraft, the device comprising:
an image capture device configured to receive one or more images associated with a plurality of colors of light emitted from the low-altitude aircraft as detected by the image capture device;
an image processing module coupled to image capture device and configured to analyze the one or more images;
a user interface configured to receive a command from a user and provide information to the user associated with the low-altitude aircraft, wherein a request is provided to a server to obtain the information associated with the low-flying aircraft;
a location module configured to determine a position of the low-altitude aircraft, including by identifying a detected ID and a location position, wherein the location module utilizes a secure identifier and is configured to transmit instructions to a server via a data communication antenna connected to a data communication module;
the data communication module configured to utilize the secure identifier, and is configured for two-way communication with the low-altitude aircraft; and
a light beam emitter configured to activate a sensor coupled to the low-altitude aircraft, and to provide light beam information to the sensor coupled to the low-altitude aircraft.
1. A device configured to communicate identification information associated with low-altitude aircraft, the device comprising:
one or more light arrays each including color light emitters that generate a defined color sequence in response to an instruction received from a light controller configured to control the color light emitters, wherein the one or more light arrays are coupled to the low-altitude aircraft;
a radio frequency communication antenna coupled to a radio communication module that transmits information associated with the low-altitude aircraft through a transmitted radio signal, wherein the radio communication module is configured to receive a received radio signal and store the information in a storage, wherein the radio frequency communication antenna is coupled to the low-altitude aircraft and the radio communication module is configured to utilize a secure identifier, and the radio communication module is configured for two-way communication;
a light detection sensor coupled to a light receiver module configured to detect external excitation of the color light emitters based on a light beam with a wavelength and an intensity; and
a location module configured to log a flight path in the storage and transmit positioning data, wherein the location module is coupled to a location system antenna, and the device is coupled to the low-altitude aircraft and configured to utilize the secure identifier.
20. A system for communicating identification information associated with low-altitude aircraft with a device being remote from the low-altitude aircraft, the system comprising:
an identification box attached to the low-altitude aircraft comprising:
one or more light arrays each including color light emitters that generate a defined color sequence in response to an instruction received from a light controller configured to control the color light emitters;
a radio antenna coupled to a radio communication module configured to transmit information associated with the low-altitude aircraft via a radio signal, and the radio communication module is configured to receive a received radio signal and store the information in a storage;
a light detection sensor coupled to a light receiver module configured to detect external excitation of the color emitters based on a light beam with a wavelength and an intensity;
a location module configured to log a flight path in the storage, and to transmit positioning data by the rf module together with the information, wherein the location module is coupled to a location system antenna, and the location module is configured to utilize a rotating secure identifier; and
a device being remote from the low-altitude aircraft comprising:
an image capture device configured to receive one or more images associated with a plurality of colors emitted from the low-altitude aircraft as detected by the image capture device;
an image processing module coupled to the image capture device and configured to analyze the one or more images, to detect that the identification box blinks and to capture the blink sequence;
a user interface configured to receive a command from a user and provide information to the user associated with the low-altitude aircraft, wherein a request is provided to a server to obtain the information associated with the low-flying aircraft;
a location module configured to determine a position of the low-altitude aircraft, including by identifying a detected ID and a location position, wherein the location module utilizes a secure identifier and is configured to transmit instructions to a server via a data communication antenna coupled to a data communication module;
the data communication module configured to utilize the secure identifier, and is configured for two-way communication with the low-altitude aircraft; and
a light beam emitter configured to activate the light detection sensor coupled to the low-altitude aircraft, and to provide light beam information to the light detection sensor coupled to the low-altitude aircraft.
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This application is a continuation of PCT/US2016/037071, filed on Jun. 10, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/175,153, filed Jun. 12, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Further, this application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/566,450, filed Oct. 1, 2017, the contents of which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Aspects of the example implementations are directed to methods and systems for identification of airborne objects at a low altitude, and more specifically, to systems and methods for identification of low-altitude aircraft.
Related art unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) markets once belonged to professional companies. However, related art UAVs and UASs now include amateur pilots flying affordable models available for purchase, for example, in an electronic store, and which may be controlled by mobile communication devices such as smartphones. However, these related art flying objects may cause damage and/or injury due to their altitude, speed and weight. Thus, there is a need to manage the related art UAVs and UASs.
In ground-based systems, such as the related art automotive market, one of the bases of the car control system, may include an identification credential issued by a division of motor vehicles (DMV) or others, such as a license plate. However, there is no analogous identification method or system for related art UAVs and/or UASs. For related art small UASs (e.g., aircrafts up to 25 pounds flying up to 500 ft of the low altitude airspace), related art tail numbers that are used in commercial aircraft are too large in size (e.g., area) to be provided on these vehicles, or they will be too small to allow the small UAS identification.
Encrypting information via a regular broadcast radio signal such as WiFi while utilizing a static SSID for the identification and addressing of WiFi packets is prone to “packet sniffing” to determine the SSID. Once the SSID is determined it may be possible to “clone” that device and intercept packets intended for it. It would be useful and more secure to have an encrypted identifier for any radio frequency (RF) transmission beacon, and particularly for WiFi transmissions, that utilized existing standards and equipment.
An identification solution is needed that permits ground-level identification, as well as identification by other aircrafts of various sizes and altitudes. The identification solution also needs to allow detection in an automated manner using a device.
Example implementations associated with the aspects of the present invention include a low altitude aircraft identification system composed by three components: a small aircraft electronic identification box with an embedded logger, a ground identification equipment to automatically identify the aircraft just pointing at it, and a central identification code database server.
The identification code can be transmitted by a visible light color sequence or by a radio frequency signal. The ground identification device is capable of recognizing both kinds of code.
Electronic Identification Box
A traffic management system has the function of monitoring the traffic and the ability of notifying the responsible party in case of any non-compliance with a regulation. Therefore, an operation to identify the responsible party is to identify the vehicle. The ground traffic management system requires all vehicles to have a license plate for driving on public roads. This license plate allows the police and other drivers to identify the vehicle.
With respect to UAVs and UASs, there is a need to have a structure that permits identification, as with a traffic management system.
Instead of the related art approach of stamping letters and numbers in the aircraft, the present example implementation is directed to a light array that blinks a defined color pattern sequence for each aircraft. One potential advantage of this identification mechanism is the possibility for a person to visually identify an aircraft from a distance of about 500 feet, without the use of any special equipment. The color sequence, blinking speed and the meaning thereof can be defined by the pilot, the fleet control or even by a regulatory agency. The number of colors used and the number of blinks may define the quantity of codes possible.
Together with the light array, the electronic identification box has a position logger and a transponder. The position logger has a global positioning system (GPS) module to obtain the absolute position where the aircraft is flying by. The logger stores the flight path of each trip made by the aircraft. Together with the positioning information, the speed and heading may also be stored. Telemetry data provided by the aircraft sensors, such as inertial measurement unit (IMU) and power level, and application data provided by the autopilot or any embedded component are also stored. This information is the proof of the aircraft real flight data, and it may perform functions similar to a civil aviation “black box” in case of a crash. In addition, in case of an UAV doing an autonomous flight beyond line-of-sight, the data may show where the UAS flew by.
The transponder may transmit a code similar to the one generated (e.g., blinked) by the light arrays but through the RF frequency, allowing automatic identification by any RF receiver on land, or installed in other aircrafts. In addition to the code, the transponder may also transmit the last position, including but not limited to heading and speed, thus allowing the implementation of a collision avoidance system. The identification box has also an independent battery to allow the transmitter works even without the external power supply. Accordingly, in case of an aircraft crash, the transponder will continue to transmit the last know position so that the wrecked vehicle may be located or identified.
The identification box has a photo sensor configured to receive external signals. In case the photo sensor is excited with a high luminous beam in a specific wavelength and modulation, such as a laser beam, the identification box may change its operational behavior. The identification box can, for instance, change its light brightness, send commands to the autopilot, increase the data storage frequency, but is not limited thereto.
One of the preset configurations for the photo sensor stimulation is to modify flag data in the RF data sent by the transmitter, and/or the behavior of the blinking pattern. In some scenarios, more than one aircraft may be flying close to each other, in a way that a receiver on the ground is detecting all of the flying aircraft without knowing which UAV is transmitting each identification code. Therefore, it is just a matter of directing a specific wavelength and modulated light beam emitter to one of the aircrafts, and the aircraft will thus modify its behavior and its transmitted data, allowing the data-to-vehicle association. This feature creates a duplex communication, allowing the identification box to send broadcast data by its color light emitters, and receive directional data through the light sensor.
Commands can also be received and executed using the communication channel. Through a physical connection between the identification box and the UAV autopilot, the identification box can, for instance, receive way point change command through a modulated light beam and change the UAV destination coordinates.
Ground Identification Device
A police department may maintain law enforcement agents who are supervising the roads and highways in order to detect drivers disobeying traffic laws. Devices such as the radar allow police officers to detect the vehicle speed. Moreover, the license plate allows for identifying the vehicle owner and accessing the complete history of the vehicle. This kind of control allows for small remote controlled aircraft surveillance and regulation.
The example implementation includes a remote (e.g., ground) device to assist the aircraft identification. Since the electronic identification box relies on visual information, the ground device is equipped with a camera, lens and image processing algorithms to capture the color sequence. In addition, this device has an RF receiver capable of receiving the identification box RF signal to connect both information sources and to verify the authenticity. The device may also have a network connection through Wi-Fi or cellphone network to access the identification server.
The aircraft code and the position where the aircraft was detected at are submitted to the central identification server to identify its owner, the responsible pilot and the flight permission. Hence, if the remote (e.g., ground) user wants to check if one specific vehicle has the flight permission to fly in that area, that user directs the identification device in the vicinity of the aircraft. The identification device automatically handles the identification and crosschecks with the identification database. After the database server verifies the information, the device shows on the screen if the aircraft position and timestamp is according to its permitted flight plan. In one example implementation, the device screen shows a “valid” message. Otherwise, the user will see an “invalid” message. Clicking in the message is possible to see all the information database information associated with the aircraft.
The subject matter described herein is taught by way of example embodiments. Various details have been omitted for the sake of clarity and to avoid obscuring the subject matter. Examples shown below are directed to structures and functions for implementing and enabling control and enforcement of access of user data.
Described herein are example embodiments of systems, devices, and methods that enable identification of airborne objects at a low altitude, and more specifically, to systems and methods for identification of low-altitude aircraft.
“SSID” herein refers to “Service Set IDentifier, a unique identifier attached to the header of packets sent over a wireless local-area network (WLAN). The SSID acts as a password when a mobile device tries to connect to the basic service set (BSS) and is a standard feature of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN architecture.
References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively, unless expressly limited to a single one or multiple ones. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list, unless expressly limited to one or the other. Any terms not expressly defined herein have their conventional meaning as commonly understood by those having skill in the relevant art(s).
As shown in
The identification box 1 also has a radio antenna 5 connected to a RF module 16 shown in
The example implementation also has one light detection sensor 4 connected to a light receiver module 19 configured to detect external excitation by a light beam with defined wavelength and intensity. In case of external light detection by the light sensor 4, the light beam detection flow 72 of
Additionally, the identification box 1 also has a location system antenna 6 (e.g., GPS antenna) connected to a location module 14, shown in
The identification box 1 has also an external power connector 8 used to recharge the internal power storage 20 (e.g., LiPo (Lithium-Polymer) battery or super capacitor) and supply power to all internal and external components.
In case of no power being supplied, the internal power storage 20 can supply power to all the components. In this “no external power” state, the RF module 16 may keep following the main loop flow 71, and transmitting the last location position and the identification code until the battery runs out of power, while the other components will be in a sleep mode.
All the internal components are protected by a housing 9 (e.g., standard weatherproof box) against impact and weather, in order to resist a crash without damaging the internal circuit.
The other component of the example implementation is the ground identification device 21, which is remote from the UAV or UAS, as shown in left and right perspective in
The ground identification device 21 has a camera with zoom 22 capable of capturing images such as video in real-time. The identification procedure flow 81 as shown in
In case of a successful detection, the detected code is informed to the touchscreen 24, in the field 51 as shown in
A location system antenna 27 (e.g., GPS antenna) is connected to a location module 41 as antenna 40 in
The ground identification device 21 also can detect aircrafts through the RF signal transmitted from the identification box RF module 16. The signal is received by the RF receiver antenna 26 connected to the RF receiver module 37, shown as antenna 33 in
In order to activate (e.g., excite) the identification box light sensor 19, the ground device has a light beam emitter 23 connected to a light beam modulator 35, shown as emitter 31 in
The ground device internal components are protected by a weather proof housing 29. The front screen panel has few general-purpose buttons 25 that can be configured, for instance, to perform commands provided by the user, such as to activate the light beam.
The identification box light emitters 3 and light sensor 4 of the identification box 1 create a two-way communication system. Similarly, the ground device camera 22 and light beam emitter 23 of the ground device 21 also create a two-way communication system. The RF receiver and transmitter 16 and 37 in both the identification box 1 and the ground device 21 creates a duplex communication. Therefore, the identification box 1 and ground device 21 together can exchange information through light or RF. This feature allows other applications. One example application may be to send data to an UAV through light and RF.
For instance, a delivery drone can receive a message to update its destination coordinate when the delivery drone gets closer to the delivery address as described following. The ground device 21 detects the UAV flying at a long distance from the user address through the RF signal received by the RF module 37. The ground device 21 communicate with the server sending the received ID and the device location capture by the location module 41 (e.g., GPS, AGPS, Wi-Fi mapping or cellphone tower position) to check if the received id belongs to a delivery UAV going to the ground device position.
The server follows the aircraft destination process flow 63 shown in
At this moment, the ground device 21 will start to transmit its position through the RF module 37. The light sensor 4 of the identification box 1 detects the light beam and the RF module 16 receives the ground device 21 position. The identification box central control module 18 sends destination update to the UAV autopilot through the autopilot connector 10. After that, the UAV will update its destination to drop the delivery in the exact location the user is transmitting.
In addition, other applications can be provided if the ground device 21 is attached to an aircraft, and the identification box 1 is attached to a ground object. For instance, an automated landing procedure in a mobile landing pad attached to a vehicle can use these devices in this configuration. The identification device 1 is attached to several landing pads, each one sending a unique identification code through the light emitters 2 and the RF module 16 simultaneously.
The aircraft with the ground device 21 pointing to the ground receives the landing pad id and the location data through the RF module 37. A connection between the aircraft autopilot and the ground device 21 through the data connector 30 allows the ground device to send messages to the aircraft, a destination coordinates update for instance. After receiving the landing pad id, the ground device 21 search for the landing pad visual position of that specific landing pad color sequence using the camera 22.
This process allows a fine control of the aircraft using real-time optical navigation to approach and land in the moving landing pad. This application can be executed in an outdoor and indoor environment, even without the location data been transmitted by the landing pad identification box.
Further, the ground device 21 can modulate data through the light beam modulator 35. The identification box central control module 18 can demodulate the light beam in order to execute commands. The light beam command transmit flow 83 shown in
After the command execution, the identification box 1 sends the execution results (e.g. an ACK, or an error status code) to the ground identification unit 21 through the RF module 16 and it can also change the color sequence to show the result visually. For instance, the light controller module 17 can turn the red color on for a while in case of an invalid command, and the green light in case of a successfully executed command.
In
According to another example implementation of the server process flow, as shown in flow 62, at 621, the server waits for one or more requests from the ground device. At 622, the ground device provides a request for a database search. At 623, and as explained above, the server receives the request, and performs a search of the database for the requested identifying information of the aircraft. At 624, the server performs a comparison of the aircraft route data, with the ground device location data. In this operation, the server confirms whether the aircraft is on the correct route or not. At 625, the server provides a confirmation to the ground device as to whether or not the aircraft route is correct. At this point, a ground device or the server may optionally perform an action, such as providing a report of an incorrect aircraft route, or other report that one skilled in the art would understand to provide if an aircraft is not on a correct route.
According to yet another example implementation of the server process flow, as shown in flow 63, a server may await the receipt of a request at 631. As explained above, a ground device may provide a request for database search to the server at 632. At 633, and as explained above, upon receiving the request from the ground device for a server search, the server performs the search for the requested ID, and determines the identification of the aircraft. At 634, the server performs a comparison between the aircraft destination data, and the ground device location data. At this point, the server confirms whether the aircraft is at the correct destination or not. At 625, the server provides a confirmation to the ground device as to whether or not the aircraft is at the correct destination. At this point, and as explained above with respect to operation 625, the ground device or the server may optionally perform an action indicative of the correctness of the aircraft destination.
As shown in flow 71, and as explained above, at 711, the central control module reads instructions stored in a non-volatile storage. Based on the reading of those instructions, at 712 the central control module instructs light emitters to light a color sequence instruction in a loop. The color sequence instruction may be determined based on the command received at the central control module. At 713, the RF module receives location data from a location module, and transmits a code and location information associated with the location data the RF module performs this operation in response to command the central control module. The central control module may provide this command based on the code or instructions stored in the nonvolatile storage. At 714, the light emitters are emitting the instructed color sequence, and the RF module has obtained the necessary location data and prepared the necessary information, and the identification box, including the light sensor and RF module, are waiting an external event, such as the heat of information from the ground device.
As shown in flow 72, and is also explained above, at 721, light sensor detects a light beam. For example, the light beam may be received from the ground device. At 722, the central control module receives the light beam information, and verifies the wavelength of the light beam. Based on the wavelength of light beam, it is determined whether the received light beam is a light beam associated with an instruction for that aircraft associated with the identification box that is attached to the aircraft. At 723, a behavior configuration is read from the nonvolatile storage by the central control module. At 724, the RF module changes in extra data field based on the information provided in operation 725. At 725, a light coat pattern is changed, based on the instruction also provided from central control module, based on the information received in operations 721, 722 and 723. Accordingly, an instruction is provided, either by the ground device, another aircraft or a flight control tower, or other source of instruction as would be understood by those skilled in the art, to instruct the identification box of the aircraft change the light code pattern. Light code pattern changed may be indicative of a certain status of the aircraft, such as being on the correct or incorrect destination, or other information.
As shown in flow 73, the light sensor of the identification box may detect the light beam at 731. At 732, the central control module may demodulate the light beam, thus determining any information instruction associated with light beam. At 733, the central control may execute a command based on the information and instructions received in the demodulated light beam. At 734, the RF module may send from the screen of the user interface of the ground device. At 735, the light code pattern may change based on the command execution result.
As shown in flow 82, at 821, a user may activate an object on a user interface, such as pressing a button on a screen of the ground device. At 822, a light beam modulator may transmit a light beam from the ground device to a target. For example, but not by way of limitation, the target may include the aircraft, and more specifically, the identification box of the aircraft. At the 23, the RF module may detect a change in the extra data might, as explained above. Further, at 824, the target ID may be bolded or otherwise identified in the user interface, so as to highlight to the user the change in that target ID associated with the aircraft.
As shown in flow 83, at 831, the user may select a command in the screen. At 832, a light beam modulator may send a light beam command to the target, such as the identification box of the aircraft as explained above. At 833, the RF module may detect a confirmation message received from the target, such as a message received from the identification box. Further, in response to the light beam, at 834, the image processing module may also detect a confirmation sequence, as shown above. At 835, the screen receives and shows a result of the command execution, as also explained above.
In the forgoing example implementation, there must be two-way trust between the server and the drone. For example, but not by way of limitation, the drone must be able to trust that the server that is transmitting policy information from a remote location such as at ground level is authentic, and is providing verified policy information. Conversely, the server and transmitters at the ground must have trust that the target drone that is receiving the policy information is credentialed. If two-way trust is not verified, the risk of transmission and reception is high.
The risks of misidentification or erroneous validation by either the drone, or the ground transmitter and server, or both are substantial. For example, but not by way of limitation, a drone that accepts an unverified policy command could be receiving that information, which may result in the drone performing unauthorized commands, or commands provided by bad actors. Similarly, if a transmitter from the ground is unable to verify that the drone is credentialed, the transmitter from the ground may be providing policy or command information to an un-trusted party, or a bad actor that may use this information to avoid detection, or perform bad acts.
Moreover, the forgoing example implementations permit credentialing of the drone, so as to provide grant privileges at two levels. At the group level, a drone may be identified as being associated with a trustworthy source (e.g., company, law enforcement, etc.). At an individual level, the drone may be verified as to his individual identification based on the information transmitted to the ground device, as explained in the forgoing example implementations.
In view of the relatively short distances between a small drone and the ground identification device, as well as the relatively short time that is available for the drone to implement the policy or commands provided by the ground identification device, an ad hoc authorization network connection is required to exchange information. This connection is essentially a peer to peer connection, as opposed to a connection provided via mobile telecommunications network or via website or general Internet communication. The network connection is specific to the drone associated with the identifying information, and the example implementation must be able to perform the connection and communication without connectivity to the Internet, as well as without needing to clear the communication via a database for security reasons. Given the short distance of peers from each other, communication is generally limited to direct communication by RF and light signals, as explained above. Further, in view of the nature of the motion of a drone, and the speeds of movements and pursuit, the communication must be real time, and delayed or asynchronous communication may result in the drone not being able to achieve its intended task, goal or purpose.
To implement the foregoing, each drone is provided with a certificate by a certificate authority, which may include the ground identification device. Depending on the carrier or protocol, the communication may be performed by RF, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other communication protocol for which real-time peer-to-peer communication may be performed in a secure manner. For example, but not by way of limitation, in a Wi-Fi network, TCP/IP or HTTP/HTTPS as would be understood by those skilled in the art may be used to implement a security protocol. Similar schemes may be employed for Bluetooth communications, as explained in further detail below.
Disclosed herein are systems and processes to provide secured wireless communication utilizing SSIDs conforming to the 802.11 standard as the mechanism of network packet identification. The system implements a rotating SSID which is utilized to address information packets over wireless networks. By frequently changing the SSID, the probability of it being discovered and exploited or spoofed are greatly reduced.
In order for this system to be reliable, the transmission of the identification must be reliable and unique, but also predictable to known parties so that the identification can be can tracked on the server-side to ensure that the wireless beacon was not changed or cloned, etc. The system utilizes an OTP (one-time password) generation technique to periodically generate a token utilized for the SSID.
A pre-shared private key may be used to generate a hash, or a hash may be hard-coded into the device. Hashes may be generated utilizing a hash function which gives a number of the correct length, for example SHA 1 (Secure hash Algorithm), but not limited thereto; other schemes and encryption or hashing methods as would be understood to those skilled in the art at the time of the invention may be substituted therefore without departing from the inventive scope.
Because this hash is immutable, it must be combined with another variable make sure that the uniqueness of the generated token will be predictably different each time. The system utilizes a digital time stamp at a given moment as the second portion of the information used to generate the token for the SSID.
In applications where ephemeral (volatile) memory is used, non-permanent data is lost when the system is shut down or the battery voltage becomes too low. This may have the side effect of disrupting the timing as well. Because token generation for the SSID requires that the times be the same in order for SSIDs to match, it is important that time be maintained in the event of a system shutdown.
There are a number of ways which this can be achieved. First, it is possible to utilize GPS as a “point of truth” for time synchronization, although in this case the speed with which the SSID will be cycled may become inefficient. Another option is to place the device into a configuration mode every time it starts or charges. The most effective solution is to use a RTC (real time clock) circuit with a long backup battery. This implementation has the additional benefit of maintaining a more accurate clock by separating the time increments from the system's compute cycles as system voltage fluctuations can cause the clock speed of a system to shift which would cause the time signature used in the SSID to be incorrect.
In order to establish wireless communications over the network 924, the SSID 902 and the SSID 916 must match, which requires that the hash 908 is the same as the hash 906 and that the time 910 is the same as the time 904. This enables a secure, predictable rotating SSID which can be calculated on both network ends to allow for secure connection between a wireless beacon 922 and a transceiver 920 on the network 924.
The private key 1212 in memory 1210 is applied to generate a hash which is then combined with a timestamp from a real time clock 1206 in the OTP generator 1208 to generate an SSID, which is utilized by the wireless transmitter 1202 and the drone 1214 to communicate with one another.
The OTP generator 1208 combines the hash 1324 and with time 1314 to create SSID 1302. The OTP generator 1208 waits a time interval 1326 and then combines time 1316 with the hash 1324 to generate SSID 1304. The OTP generator 1208 waits again for the time interval 1326 and combines time 1318 with hash 1324 to generate SSID 1306, and so on to generate SSID 1308 and SSID 1310, etc.
The time interval 1326 may be fixed or may vary by an amount or by a function that is pre-shared between the wireless beacon and the device that will communicate with the wireless beacon, e.g., a low altitude aircraft such as a drone.
Referring to
The drone operation logic 1400 will typically comprise memory 1408 which may be utilized by the main controller 1404 and other components (e.g., the DSP 1426 and or the GPU 1422) to read and write instructions (commands) and data (operands for the instructions).
At least one camera 1416 may interface to image processing 1418 logic to record images and video from the environment. The image processing 1418 may operate to provide image/video enhancement, compression, feature extraction, and other transformations, and provide these to the main controller 1404 for further processing and storage to memory 1408. The image processing 1418 may further utilize a navigation board 1402 and or DSP 1426 toward these ends. Images and video stored in the memory 1408 may also be read and processed by the main controller 1404, DSP 1426, and/or the GPU 1422.
The drone operation logic 1400 may operate on power received from a battery 1414. The battery 1414 capability, charging, and energy supply may be managed by a power manager 1410.
The drone operation logic 1400 may transmit wireless signals of various types and range (e.g., cellular, WiFi, BlueTooth, and near field communication i.e. NFC) using the wireless communication logic 1420 and/or other transducers 1424. The drone operation logic 1400 may also receive these types of wireless signals. Wireless signals are transmitted and received using one or more antenna. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation may be used to interact with proximate devices, such as infrared (not illustrated).
The drone operation logic 1400 may include a navigation board 1402 which includes a motor control 1406 (to operate propellers and/or landing gear), an altimeter 1428, a gyroscope 1430, and its own memory 1412.
Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various logic implementations by which processes and/or systems described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes are deployed. If an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a hardware or firmware implementation; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a solely software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, or firmware. Hence, there are numerous possible implementations by which the processes described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the implementation will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations may involve optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that logic may be distributed throughout one or more devices, and/or may be comprised of combinations memory, media, processing circuits and controllers, other circuits, and so on. Therefore, in the interest of clarity and correctness logic may not always be distinctly illustrated in drawings of devices and systems, although it is inherently present therein. The techniques and procedures described herein may be implemented via logic distributed in one or more computing devices. The particular distribution and choice of logic will vary according to implementation.
The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples contain one or more functions or operations, it will be understood as notorious by those within the art that each function or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more processing devices (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry or writing the code for the software or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, flash drives, SD cards, solid state fixed or removable storage, and computer memory.
In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of circuitry.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use standard engineering practices to integrate such described devices or processes into larger systems. At least a portion of the devices or processes described herein can be integrated into a network processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Various embodiments are described herein and presented by way of example and not limitation.
The related art aircraft identification systems focus on civil or military aviation. None of the related art systems work for a small aircraft in a low altitude. Using a visible light sequence, an aircraft in a low altitude flight may be visually identified.
The other related art identification systems for aircraft need a radar system or special devices to be able to receive the identification signal, which works well for a scenario involving an airport tower and an aircraft, but does not work for a scenario involving a person without such devices and an aircraft.
Using visible light identification, a person can observe at an aircraft and memorize its color sequence. This approach is similar to the way cars are identifiable by their license plate, instead of the way aircrafts are identified in the related art.
This invention is an identification system that can be used to identify any vehicle, ship, aircraft or other static or mobile objects that are located up to about 1 mile from a person.
Although a few example embodiments have been shown and described, these example embodiments are provided to convey the subject matter described herein to people who are familiar with this field. It should be understood that the subject matter described herein may be embodied in various forms without being limited to the described example embodiments. The subject matter described herein can be practiced without those specifically defined or described matters or with other or different elements or matters not described. It will be appreciated by those familiar with this field that changes may be made in these example embodiments without departing from the subject matter described herein as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
1
Identification box
2
Light arrays
3
Light emitters
4
Light sensor
5
RF antenna
6
Location system antenna
7
Memory card slot
8
Power connector
9
Housing
10
Autopilot data connector
11
Light emitter
12
RF antenna
13
Location system antenna
14
Location module
15
Non-volatile storage module
16
RF module
17
Light controller module
18
Central control module
19
Light receiver
20
Internal power storage
21
Ground identification device
22
Camera with zoom
23
Light beam emitter
24
Touchscreen
25
General buttons
26
RF antenna
27
Location system antenna
28
Data communication antenna
29
Housing
30
Data connector
31
Light beam emitter
32
Camera module
33
RF antenna
34
Data communication antenna
35
Light beam modulator
36
Image processing module
37
RF module
38
Data communication module
39
Central processing unit
40
Location system antenna
41
Location module
51
Id captured by the camera
52
Aircraft responsible name
53
System message
54
Detection window
55
RF detected ids
56
General buttons
61
Aircraft data request flow
62
Aircraft route confirmation
process
63
Aircraft destination
confirmation process
71
Main loop flow
72
Light beam detection flow
73
Light beam command
execution flow
81
Identification procedure flow
82
Light beam excitation flow
83
Light beam command transmit
flow
Foina, Aislan Gomide, Bar-Nahum, Guy
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